Understanding the Construction Client [Paperback]

This book breaks new ground by creating a framework to understand clients' actions and needs. Most construction management books focus on improving the construction process; this one focuses on a better engagement with the client. It challenges conceptions of both the construction industry and clients' businesses so that a more effective process and greater client satisfaction can be achieved. The book suggests that 'buildings are not about building but about changing and developing the client'. The technical, organisational and psychological aspects of this are described and analysed in detail so that current experience can be explained and better practice determined.

Foreword vii
Graham Farrant, Chair CCG

Preface: buildings are not about building! x

Chapter 1 Clients in Perspective 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 The nature of the problem 2

1.3 The categories of clients 4

1.4 What clients want 10

1.5 A problem of delivery 14

1.6 Structure of this book 16

1.7 A concluding remark 18

References 19

Chapter 2 A Model of Clients 23

2.1 Introduction 23

2.2 The basic thesis 25

2.3 A model of clients 26

2.4 Fundamental awarenesses and the model 30

2.5 Model for sector analysis 32

2.6 Summary 35

References 35

Chapter 3 The Client at Rest 37

3.1 Client’s knowledge and processes 37

3.2 Clients see the world differently 40

3.3 Organisational knowns 44

3.4 Normal organisational unknowns 54

3.5 People in organisations 64

3.6 Conclusionl³I